An archetypal protagonist is the "epic hero", a main character with impressive superhuman capabilities who completes awe-inspiring deeds such as taking on a battle with superhuman foes. It was the Greeks who first defined the protagonist known as an epic hero. These heroes of a tragedy must ...
When discussing the characteristics of epic heroes, it is important to note a pointed cultural shift between antiquity and modernity—Homeric heroes tend to be more brutally strong and flawed, whereas modern epic heroes evince principles taken from Christian medievalism, such as humility and ...
Whilesagain its original sense is a narrative type confined to a particular time and place, epics are found worldwide. Examples can be found in the ancient world (theIliadandOdysseyofHomer), in medieval Europe (theNibelungenlied), and in modern times (the Serbo-Croatianepicpoetry recorded in ...
Sassoon’s‘The Hero’is a modern example of a heroic poem. It focuses on the heroic acts of one man—Jack, who was faced with thehorrorsof World War I. Here are a few lines: “Jack fell as he’d have wished,” the Mother said, ...
The film is a modern take onRapunzel, which notoriously had the titular character rescued from her imposed seclusion at the top of a tower.Tangledshows this as well, but once Rider (really Eugene Fitzherbert) ascends thanks to her long locks, he's fatally stabbed. Rapunzel then tries to bar...
Anti-Heroes in Poetry Some of the best examples of anti-heroes in poetry come from the works of Homer. His stories, passed down orally for decades, and then put into writing for modern readers, contain hundreds of characters. Some are described in passing, and others, like Odysseus and ...
Robert Burgess
Mock-epic poetry is a literary genre that infuses satire into well-known classical works to convey new observations about contemporary culture and modern social issues. Learn about the definition and characteristics of mock-epic poetry and review examples of the genre. ...
Life expectancy in a conflict-heavy, pre-modern time, without antibiotics, is short. The purpose of each element in your fictional setting or world: If there are dragons in your fictional world, why? How have they survived human onslaught? Is there perhaps dragon conservation? Real world ...
Various types of protagonists in literature unveil a rich tapestry, ranging from the classic hero on an epic quest to the modern antihero navigating morally gray landscapes, each contributing a unique flavor to the art of storytelling. Example Protagonist vs Antagonist Activity Although this activity ...